GLASGOW (AFP) - Rangers manager Walter Smith has challenged his side to continue their tremendous undefeated run to secure the club's first Scottish Premier League title in three years.

The Ibrox side's 2-0 home win over Falkirk on Saturday sent them seven points clear of Celtic ahead of their match away to Aberdeen on Sunday.

While the Parkhead club dropped points to Hearts, St Mirren, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hibernian in December, Rangers are now undefeated in their last 12 SPL matches - winning 11 and drawing just one.

Rangers' last defeat was a 2-1 loss away to Dundee United in October - but Smith insists his side must maintain that level of success if they wish to prevent Celtic winning their third league title in a row.

"I am delighted at the run we are on at the present moment. It's a good run but it's one which we'll need to keep going, that's the situation we're in," said Smith.

"I said after the first quarter of the SPL that we could not afford to lose as many points in the second quarter so we've managed to handle that aspect of it.

"Now we need to see if we can handle the games from here until the end of the season."

Kris Boyd put Rangers ahead in the 23rd minute, smashing a 20-yard free-kick through the defensive wall and into the net for his 15th goal of the season.

Their victory was not secured until the 88th minute when substitute Steven Naismith, who had replaced Boyd in the 66th minute, stole the ball from Falkirk defender Darren Barr before clinically finishing from 16-yards.

However, the sponsors' man-of-the-match award went to defender Kirk Broadfoot, who has stepped into the void created by the departure of Alan Hutton to Tottenham Hotspur.

Smith has been delighted with the attitude and form of the former St Mirren player.

He said: "Sometimes people forget that players can take time to settle at a new club and can find it very difficult to find their feet.

"Kirk has had to wait a long time to get another opportunity but he has been excellent in the last few games.

"Everyone is pleased for him as he is a very dedicated lad who works very hard both on and off the pitch to keep his level of fitness up."

One player missing from Rangers side on Saturday was Gabon international Daniel Cousin.

The striker has agreed a three million pounds (six million dollars) move to Fulham but since that would breach FIFA rules preventing players appearing for more than two clubs in one season, the deal has been held up.

However, with Rangers' French striker Jean Claude Darcheville suspended for Wednesday's UEFA Cup match at home Panathinaikos, Cousin could make a surprise return to the Glasgow side's team.

Smith said: "It doesn't suit either club if he is not playing matches. He has now been without match practice for a couple of weeks but I wouldn't have any hesitation playing him.

"It's taking a long time for a decision to be made on the transfer. He is happy with the move to Fulham and we're happy with the fee we got but it doesn't suit anyone if he's not playing games."